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| Shanghai Idol Group AKB48 Team SH Officially Rebrands as TSH48 After Seven Years (Photo: TSH48) |
Shanghai-based idol group AKB48 Team SH has officially announced a major turning point in its journey, confirming a full rebrand to TSH48 (Team Shanghai 48) after seven years in the entertainment scene. The change marks one of the most significant transitions since the group’s formation and signals a fresh chapter moving into 2026.
In a formal statement shared with the public, the group revealed that its management rights have been transferred from Shanghai Shangyue Culture (AKB48-CHINA) to Shanghai NSE Culture Media, also known as NSE Cosmos.
With this transition, all member contracts will now be fully handled by the new management team, streamlining operations under a single umbrella.
The announcement was delivered with heartfelt appreciation for fans who have supported the group since its debut.
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Management highlighted that fan loyalty and presence have been the most valuable part of the group’s journey, helping AKB48 Team SH shine through every stage, release, and performance over the years.
Alongside the management change, the group confirmed it will officially continue activities under the new name TSH48 starting in 2026.
While the name has changed, management was quick to reassure fans that TSH48 remains part of the wider AKB48 Group and will continue operating as an official sister group.
The restructuring itself is the result of a mutual agreement between the licence holder, the former management, and the new management team.
As part of this agreement, certain responsibilities and obligations from the previous operational period will no longer fall on the new team. However, in a move that many fans will likely welcome, the new management has chosen to carry forward several delayed creative projects.
[ NEWS ]
— 48G & 46Sakamichi Info (@Informasi4648) January 1, 2026
AKB48 Team SH resmi mengganti namanya menjadi TSH48.
Logo yang ditampilkan juga berwarna hitam dan merah muda.#AKB48TeamSH pic.twitter.com/8bPHIi2f9Z
These include the production of long-awaited member solo songs, a brand-new original stage performance, and other projects that have been sitting on fans’ wishlists for some time.
Management described this decision as both a commitment and a moral responsibility, aimed at honouring the hard work of the members and the shared memories built with fans over the years.
Rather than wiping the slate clean, TSH48 intends to bridge the past and the future through continued creative output.
Interestingly, the name TSH48 is not entirely new to fans. Rumours began circulating back in April 2025 when Superball registered the domain name tsh48.cn, sparking speculation about whether a brand-new idol group was in the works or if an existing group was preparing for a rebrand. Those questions have now been answered.
Along with this change, TSH48 has also appointed a new group captain: Ye Zhien.
The newly revealed TSH48 logo features a black and pink colour scheme, visually reinforcing the group’s refreshed identity while maintaining a sleek and modern idol aesthetic.
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While some fans have joked that using the name SNH48 would have been iconic, that option was never on the table due to long-standing rival branding within the Shanghai idol scene.
This renewed vision, unfinished projects back on track, and a clean operational slate, TSH48 is clearly preparing to step into its next phase with confidence.
Now the real question is how fans feel about this new identity, the logo, and what kind of music and performances they hope to see next. Is this the reset the group needed, or are you still emotionally attached to the Team SH era?